[6] On February 6, 2017, Andrew M. Sacks, an attorney representing Citywide Protection Services, which employed the security guard who shot Chen, held a news conference.

The evidence also confirmed that Chen had been in the same place 10 days earlier, and, as specified by Sacks, was warned that he was trespassing on private property and instructed not to return.

Representatives, Donald McEachin (VA-04), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Grace Meng (NY-06), issued a joint statement concerning the death of Jiansheng Chen.

"[13] On February 16, 2017, based on a news release from the Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Parr, Johnathan Cromwell, the 21-year-old security guard of Virginia Beach was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm.

[16] According to the lawsuit, the security guard has a history of aggression who had "previously drawn and brandished his weapon toward unarmed residents and guests of the River Walk neighborhood".

[18] Following the attorney switch, a judge granted Cromwell a six-month continuance from his original trial date of September 26, 2017, WAVY-TV reported.

[3] Cromwell reportedly appeared in court wearing headphones every day since he was having trouble hearing the proceedings, which implied excessive shooting that can cause ear damage.

[citation needed] Chen's family has also filed a $5.35 million wrongful death lawsuit against Cromwell, his employer, Citywide Protection Services, and the River Walk Community Association in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.